This Greedy Prime Video Move Must Go

Physical media appears headed toward 8-track tape oblivion.

Hollywood thrived on earnings stemming initially from the DVD and subsequently the Blu-ray technological advancements. They surpassed the quality of VHS tapes, offering a wealth of additional video content to enhance the buying experience.

Not advocating for “Be kind, rewind” slogans reminiscent of the VHS era. Instead, imagine arranging them like cherished books on a bookshelf.

Nowadays, traditional physical media like CDs and DVDs are being overshadowed by digital downloads and streaming services. This shift reflects the changing trends in technology.

Owning a digital copy of your favorite movies isn’t always ideal, as some digital licenses may have restrictions. For instance, you might not receive the unedited or uncensored version of the movie you want.

Now, a prominent pundit is warning Prime Video buyers have something new to worry about.

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Over the weekend, Benjamin Domenech, who previously worked at The Federalist and is now an editor for The Transom newsletter, alerted X users about a concerning development regarding Amazon’s Prime Video service.

With the Amazon service, customers can purchase videos to build up their own video library, similar to an old-fashioned DVD collection. However, Domenech encountered an unusual issue when he attempted to play a video he had bought.

He had to sit through ads along the way.

Currently, Amazon Prime Video has updated its subscription model, requiring users to pay an extra charge if they wish to watch content without advertisements. This isn’t unusual among streaming platforms nowadays.

This is different. And Domenech wasn’t alone in his experience.

Inserting ads into a title you bought is both new and troubling.

Is this a glitch? A new policy? HIT is reaching out to Amazon Prime for comment.

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2025-05-18 17:03